MERS/Goodwill Awarded Contract From Veterans Affairs
Veterans to receive vocational rehabilitation and employment services in Missouri
Online, April 22, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The St. Louis Veteran Affairs Regional Office (VARO) has awarded a contract to MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries to provide vocational rehabilitation and employment services to Missouri veterans with disabilities.
Through this contract, the St. Louis VARO will refer veterans with disabilities seeking career and employment assistance to MERS/Goodwill and its partner, who will offer case management services, job placement services, and educational and vocational counseling to help these veterans to achieve their employment and career goals.
"The St. Louis VA Regional Office has enjoyed a great working relationship with MERS/Goodwill in the past and look forward to formalizing our partnership with them through this contract," said Corliss Strathearn of Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Officer VA Regional Office.
MERS/Goodwill is a local non-profit agency that assists individuals who have barriers to employment due to disabilities or economic disadvantages. In this contract MERS/Goodwill is partnering with The Rehabilitation Institute (TRI) of Kansas City, which will provide services in the Kansas City region and other areas outside of MERS/Goodwill's Missouri territory.
"Last year we served more than 14,000 people facing difficulties, and this is another way we can support our community, in particular veterans," said Lewis Chartock, President of MERS/Goodwill. "The collaboration of MERS/Goodwill, the Rehabilitation Institute, and the St. Louis VARO is a great fit with our core mission services and our longstanding commitment to help veterans succeed."
MERS/Goodwill
MERS/Goodwill is a non-profit agency that provides for the vocational needs of individuals who have barriers to employment through disability or economic disadvantage. Serving more than 14,000 individuals and families in 2008, the organization operates 38 service centers in 53 counties in the bi-state area. Revenues from 40 Goodwill stores assist with funding MERS/Goodwill job training and employment services. MERS/Goodwill is a proud member of the United Way. For more information about MERS/Goodwill or to find a Goodwill donation center near you, call 314-241-3464 or visit www.mersgoodwill.org.
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